Adding local geoid

[BenPearse]

Is it possible to add a local geoid to ArcGIS Pro? I created a DEM in Agisoft which uses NAD83(CSRS)/UTM Zone 8N as a coordinate system, but is using a local geoid. I have a few versions of the geoid, one of which is a tiff but can not figure out how to import it.

Thanks,

Ben

[DanPatterson]

Did you try defining your own if you have the horizontal and vertical parameters?

Define a new coordinate system—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

[BojanŠavrič]

@BenPearse, I presume you would like to use your local geoids to transform your DEM data to some other vertical coordinate system. Unfortunately, ArcGIS Pro currently does not support custom vertical transformations, but it is part of our plans for the future releases.

For current workaround, I would suggest you use raster calculator to modify the heights first (make sure all raster have heights in the same linear units) and then use Define Projection tool to correct the vertical coordinate system definition on your modified DEM dataset. 

I hope this helps,
Bojan

[BenPearse]

Thanks! I will give that a try.

[RyanDillingham]

It would be awesome if ArcPRO had better GEOID and Elevation capabilities. I run into this all the time.

[BojanŠavrič]

@RyanDillingham @BenPearse 

Great news! You can now create your own custom vertical transformations using local geoid models in ArcGIS Pro. The Create Custom Vertical Transformation tool, introduced in ArcGIS Pro 3.2, is available in the Data Management toolbox. At that time, my colleague published a blog post titled How to Create and Use a Custom Vertical Transformation in ArcGIS Pro, which also explains the required file format for custom geoid models and where to place them to enable these transformations.

Since 2021, we have also expanded support for geoid models to include additional countries for which we were able to obtain the necessary data and definitions. Below is a map of the countries currently supported in ArcGIS Pro 3.4. Please note that to use these geoid models, you must install the ArcGIS Coordinate Systems Data component along with ArcGIS Pro.

I hope this helps,
Bojan